Switch box



June 19, 1928. 1,674,028

. H. R. VAN DAEVENTIER El. AL

SWITCH Box Fil ed July 24, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 wmusssas': INVENTORS Harry R. Van Dawnfer; and 52:12: M. Warren.

ATTORNEY June 19, 1928.

H. R. VAN DEVENTER ET AL SWITCH BOX Filed July 24, 1923 s Sheds-Sheet 2 Fig.5.

W e s n H R e N r R Tw O mum a 0. W m M a F y Y fi 0 MR WITNESSES:

Patented June 19, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY B. VAN DEVENTER AND ROBERT M. WARREN, OF NEW YORK, N.- Y.; SAD i WARREN ASSIGNOB TO SAID VAN DEVENTER, ASSIGNOR, BY HESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO EXCEL PRODUCTS CORPORATION, A. CORPORATION OI PENNSYLVANIA.

swrrc z BOX.

Applicatlon filed m 24,

. Our invention relates to switches and par-.

videv a'switch box that may be actuated by the heel of an operator simultaneously with the actuation of a vehicle-controlling pedal.

Another object of our invention is to provide a switch box that shall have a depression in the cover member to constitute a heel rest for the operator. Y

Another object of our invention is to provide a switch box that shall comprise-a plu- 'rality of pairs of contact terminals for con-T trolling or energizing signal devices to 1ndicate intended movements of a motor vehicle with which the switch box is associated.

Another object of our invention is to provide, a switch box having a cover that shall constitute a heel rest for the operator in its normal neutral position and that shall be selectively tiltable to a plurality of operative positions. I Another object of our invention is to provide a switch adapted to be mounted adjacent to a vehicle-operating foot-pedal to be operated'by the same foot as actuates the pedal and having an actuating member that is selectively tiltable to a plurality of positions corresponding respectively to different indications of intended movements of the vehicle with which it is associated. Another object of our invention is to provide a switch box having a cover member that is selectively tiltable in a lateral or in a longitudinal direction by the of an operatpr. V ,Another object of'our invention is to-provide a switch that shall be efiective to actuvices to indicate intended turning movements of a motor vehicle.

In practicing our invention we provide a skeleton .base of metaLof substantially rectangular form. Upon the base are mounted a plurality of pairs of co-operating contact of the vehicle being cut ate simultaneously aplurality of signal de- 1923. Serial N0. 653,500.

members suitably insulated therefrom. A metal cover member, having an integral and downwardly extending peripheral flange, is located above the skeleton base and is yieldinglypressed away therefrom. by a single resilient member, means being provided to limit the extent of this movement. A thin plate of electric-insulating material is located between the. cover member and the contact 7 member.

A plurality .of longitudinally extending recesses are provided in the top surface of the cover member, the intermediate recess normally constituting a heel rest for the operator. The outer recesses permit the operator to effect a turning or tilting movement of the cover member longitudinally of the base to effect engagement of certain of the contact members located at the side of the switch box. I

The cover member is further provided with an integral laterally upstanding flange, which may be engaged by the heel of the operator to efiect a turning movement of the cover laterally of the switch box, whereby certain other contact members are caused to engage each other.

In a modification of the device embodying. our invention the cover member is provided with a single. relatively deep, and longitudinally extending groove in its upper surface normally constituting a heel rest for the operator and permitting of the operators effecting a' tilting movement of the cover member on a longitudinal axis, a front wall integral with the cover member permitting the operator to tilt the cover member on a lateral axis.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a view, in side elevation, of a motor vehicle with which is associated the device embodying our invention, a portion away to show the location of the switch box. 95

Fig. 2 i's a top plan view of a device embodying our invention with a portion of the cover member cut away,

Fig. 3 is a view, in longitudinal section thereof, taken on the line III--III of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the skeleton s I Fig. 5 is a View, in lateral section, of a device embodying our invention taken on the line VV of Fig. 2,

Fig. 6 is a view, in lateral section thereof, taken on the line VIVI of Fig. 2,

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a modified form of device embodying our invention,

Fig. 8 is a view, in longitudinal section therethrough,ftaken on the'line VIIIVIII Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of connections employed with the device illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8.

. 'Referring morepartieularly to Figs. 2 to 6 inclusive a-switch box aggregate 21 comprises a skeleton base 22 of metal. The base 22 comprises a peripheral flange that is substantially rectangular'in outline and is provided ateach side thereof with an integral lug 23 having an opening 24 therein topermit of mounting the base against a floor po1--.

ton 25 ofv a motor vehicle26 as illustrated more particularly in Fig. 1' of the drawing. An intermediate rib member 27 extends longitudinally of the base from the forward edge thereof to anintermediateand laterally extending relatively thin web 28 which is located near the rear end portion of the base 22.

Seat portions 29 are provided at three of the four corners of the base member 22 upon which are mounted stationary contact members 31 adjacent the rear edge of the base. Insulating members '32 are provided to insulate the contact members 31 from the metal base 22. A resilient two-part cont-act member 33 is insulatedly mounted on the base portion 22 adjacent the rear edge thereof by a suitable machine screw 34 which extends through the middle portion of the member 33 and through an integral portion of the base member 22, and by a'co-operating nut 35. An insulating member 32 is provided between the spring member 33 and the base portion 22. The two ends of the member 33 are normally out of engagement with the co-operating contact members 31 substantially as illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawing.

At the forward edge of the base 22's single resilient contact member 36 has one of its ends insulatedly secured against the seat portion 29 located in the left forward corner of the base. Insulating washers 32 and 37 are employed to efiectively prevent any lectrical contact, between the contact member 31 and the base 22. The free end of the-'member 36 extends to substantiallv the intermediate portion of the base laterally thereof and' is so formed as to be normally disengaged from a co -operating sta tionary contact member- 38 that is insulatedly mounted in thecentral web 27 on the base 22.

A cover member '39 is provided for the base portion 22 and comprises-a top ortion 41, an integral, depending, periphera flange 42 and a laterally-extending upstanding flange portion 43. The cover member 41 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending depressions 44, 45, and 46, the

depressions 44 and 46 being located adjacent the side edge-s of the cover and the depression 45 being located intermediate thereof and extending across substantially the entire length of the cover member. V

Means for yieldingly'holding the cover member 39 away fromthe base portion 22 comprises a single spring member 47 that has'one of itsend-s operatively engaging a depressed portion of the central web 27 substantially as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing, and has its other end operatively engaging the under surface of the cover member 39. Integral lugs 48 may be provided in the upper surface of the depressed portion of the web 27 and the lower surface of the cover portion 41 in order to maintain the spring member 47 in its proper operative positionandpreve'nt any lateral movement thereof.

Means for limiting the movement of the cover member 39 away fromthe base 22 comprise a pair of relatively thin metal rods49 that extend longitudinally of the switch box at each side of and closely ad jacent to the central web 27 through openings51 in the base portion 22 and through similar openings 52 in an integral, depending,

and relatively short web 53 of the cover member 39. Openings "54 are provided in the forward edge flange of thebase 22 and in the integral web 28 through which the rods 49 extend. The openings, 54 are larger than the lateral dimensions. of the rods 49 and the amount of movement of the cover member 39 toward and away from the base 22 is limited by the size of the'openings 54.

' A thinsheet 55 of a suitable electric-insulating material is located between the lowersurface of the cover member 39 and the top surfaces of the resilient contact members 33 and 36 in order that they may be operated by] a suitable turn ng or tilting movementof the cover member relatively to the base member. 'The normal position of the various parts comprising the assemed in Figs. 3, 5 and 6 of the drawings, that is, the cover member is yieldingly held at the maximum di tance from th base more bled switclibox is substantially as illustrat- I v particularly'rby thehelical spring 47 but also, although to a lesser extent, by the action of the resilient'contact members 33 and 36'.

In Fig. '12 of the drawings I have illustrated schematically a diagram of connections employed with the switch box herein-' before described in which a storage battery 56 is employed as a source ofelectromotive force and three signal lamps or devices 57, 58, and 50 are used. I have illustrated a grounded circuit for convenience only.

The switch box'21 is more particularly designed and constructed to be located on the floor of a motor vehicle closely adjacent to an operating or vehicle-controlling footb pedal 61 that isadapted to be actuated by the foot of an operator in the usual well known manner.

vention differing mainly in the form .of

.' cover member provided for the base member 22. In this modification .a cover member 62 is provided that is relatively deeper than the one illustrated in Figs. 2 to 6 inclusive, and that is provided with only a single, central, relatively deep and longitudinally-extending depression or groove 63. A plurality of inas will bring their ends in substantially the same plane as that of the bottom surface of.

tegral and depending-lugs 64and 65 are pro vided that are respectively of such" lengths the groove portion 63.- A sheet of electric-insulating material is provided to suit ably insulate the contact terminals from the cover member.

In thismodified form of our invention we provide a two-part, resilient, bowed, contact member 33 adjacent the forward edge of the base 'portion that has its intermediate part insulatedly mounted on the forward end of the central web member 27. A plurality of stationary contact members 31 are insulatedly mounted at each forward cornerpor= tion ofthe base.

A similar bowed contact member133 is located adjacent the rear edge of the base as hereinbefore described.

- The same resilient member l7 is provided to-yieldingly hold the cover member away from the base and a plurality of rods 49 are employed as hereinbefore described to limit this movement.-

'Fig. '13 illustrates schematically adi agram of connectionst at is employed with this modified form of device embodying our invention, the operation of which willbe more' fully setforth hereinafter.

. A signal box or device 66 is employed with the switch box hereinbefore described, and

- is intendedto be mounted on a suitable part of the motorfvehicle, preferably on the left rear fender thereof, substantiallyas illustra'fed-in 1 of the drawings. This box y comprise'a bottom-01 base plate67 upon In Figs. 7 and 8 there is illustrated a modified form ofdevice embodying our inwhich is mounted a supporting plate 68 that A is secured to the base plate by down-turned end portions 69 that may be suitably secured against upstanding lugs 71 integral with the base plate 67. Thehereinbefore mentioned lamps .57 58, and 59 may be mounted on the member 68 by being removably located in sockets 72 that are suitably secured on the supporting plate 68; If single contact lamps and sockets are employed the sockets 72 are electrically connected to the supporting plate 68 and therefore to the'bottom plate 67, electric conductors 73, 74, and? 5 beingconnected to the other contact of the lamp to permit of selectively controlling their ener'gization y meansfjof the hereinbefore described switch box. v

A cover member 76- is provided for the base plate 67 and the lamps or signal devices mounted thereo'n,..and this cover member may be secured against the base plate 67 by a plurality of small machine screws 77 A plurality of spaced, dependin opaque diaphragms 78 are provided in the cover member 76 to which they may bes'ecured by small machine screws 79, so located as to divide the space within the 'signal bo'x 66 into three substantially equal compartments within which the lamps 57, 58, and 59 are located.

- The front and rear walls of the cover member 76 are each provided with aplurality.

of er-forations therethrough, the central per oration having the form of the letter S and the two side 'rforations having the form of an arrow. jWhile any conventional form of the letter S and of the arrow may be employed, we prefer to make .theform rela-' tively simple and the perforations relatively narrow, substantially as illustrated in Figs.

9 and 10 of the drawing.

A plate 81 of in'ulti-colored celluloid is provided a jacent the inside of the front and the rear w he of the cover member 76, that portion ofthecellulqid located within the intermediate chamber formed by the plurality of diaphragms 78 being. colored red,

while those portions located-in the end parts of the cover member 76 are-colored green. That is, when the lamp 58 is energized the letter S will be indicatedin red, while if either lamp 57 M59 is energized a greener-1 gram of connections illustrated in Fig'.-

12, the operator normally rests his heel within the entral depre s op 45 of the cover member 39, the spring 47 being sufliciently s strong to prevent the weight of the operator foot from depressing or moving the cover member downwardly enough to cause any of the eo-operating movable and stationary conact members to engage each other. The size of the openings 54 is such that no operative engagement of the respective contact members results when the cover member is moved straight downwardly.

When the cover member is'given a tilting or turning movement'around a longitudinal axis, the downward travel of a lateral edge is, of course, much greater. The cover member turns around the opposite pin 49 and the movement of the other pin 49 in the-slots '54 is magnified at the outer edge 8f the cover member, whereby operative engagement of the co-operating'contact members is assured. If the operator desires to turn the motor vehicle to the right and wishes to "notify the operator of a following vehicle of this intended movement, he moves his heel into the right hand depression 44 of the cover member 39'and by pressing downwardly thereon causes a tilting movement of the cover inember on a longitudinal axis, thereby causing the right hand end of the resilient contact member 33 to engage its co-operating stationary'contact member 31, whereby the signal lamp 59 is energized and the right hand arrow in the signal box 66 is caused to be shown in green." This signal indicates to the operator of a following motor vehicle that the vehicle in front of him intends to make a right hand turn.

In case the-operator desires to make a left hand turn he places his heel in the depression 46, whereby a tilting movement of the cover member is effected around a longitudinal axis, in the opposite or counter clockwise I direction, and the left hand end of the bowed member,

contact member 33 is caused to operatively engage its "co-operating stationary contact member 31, thereby energizing the lamp 57 and the left hand arrow in the signal box is caused to be shown in green. v

If: the operator ofhe motor vehicle desires to indicate to the operator of a following vehicle that he intends to stop, he causes his heel toenga'ge the upstanding flange 43 whereby the'cover member is given a tilting movement around a lateral axis and the free end-of the bowed contact member 36 is caused to engage its co-operatingfstationary contact This energizes the I intermediate lamp 58 whereby the let ter SI in red is caused to be shown in the'signal box..

As, hereinbefore noted, it is intended that the switch box 2l be mounted closely adjacent .only a single longitudinally-extending and relatively deep recess therein the operator to and at the rear of a vehicle-controlling foot-pedal, which may be either a' clutch tion, energizes the signal devices 59 and 58,.

.sto signal S is displayed.

automatically and simultaneously engage the flange 43, thereby causing the signal lamp 58 to be energized and display the letter S in red as hereinbefore described, thus giving warning of the intended movement of the vehicle to the operator of a following veor a left hand turn, he can easily simultaneously actuate the switch cover as hereinbefore described with the heel of his foot without, in any way, hindering the operation of the foot pedal by the same foot.

It is easily seen that the hereinbefore dehicle. Should he desire to make a right hand scribed operation by the heel of the operator in causing a tilting movement of the cover member around either-alongitudinal or a lateral axis, is easily elfected by reason of the provision of a single resilient member for yieldingly holding the cover ,member' away from the base member, which resilient nal lamps 57 or 59. by a tilting movement switch box illusof the cover member around a longitudinal axis, but it was also found possible by a simultaneous forward tilting movement of the cover member to'e'nergize the signal lamp 58, thereby making it possible to energize the intermediate signal .device simultaneously with either one of the outer signal devices. This was taken advantage of in wiring the switch box illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings and the diagram of-connections to be employed therewith is illustrated sche maticallyin Fig. 13 of the drawings.

The same tilting movement of the cover member around a longitudinal axis is possible in this modified form of switch box as was hereinbefore described for the first form of switch box. However,a tilting movement of the cover member arounda longitudinal axis, sayin a clockwise directhereby illuminating t-wo lamps and colored devices at thesame time. This results in giving a more efficient signal to the operator of a following vehicle than is given by onlyone signal device or signal indication. If a tilting movement ofl'he cover member in a counter clockwise'direction is efl'ected, signal devices 57 and 58 are energized, while if the cover member is given a t-iltin movement around a, lateral axis only the intermediate I signaldevice 58-is energizedand'the usual s the cover member 63 .is provided with necessity of-moving his'heel from one recess or groove to another, infact it is only necessary for him to turn his foot on the heel in the groove to the right or to the left in order to effect the desired tilting movement of the cover member. When the switch box is located directlyback of the clutch pedal b lever a forward movement of the operators foot, as necessitated by the operation of disfconnecting the clutch, permits the operators heel to engage the sloping front wall of the recess-and eiiect the desired forward tilting movement of the cover member as hereinbefore described.

It is of course obvious that any kind of signal device may be controlled by the hereinbefore described devices and that for in stance, an electro-magnetic device may be controlled instead of the lamps as hereinbefore described or one lamp and one electromagnetic device may be energize The device embodying our invention provides a relatively simple, compact, inexpensive, and easily operated means for selectively energizing one or more of a plurality of signal devices that will indicate intended movements of the motor vehicle with which the switch box is operatively associated.

' Its operation may be effected without con- 'scious effort on the part of the operator after once having. become accustomed thereto, thereby making its operation, in effect,

' anintegral part of the normal operation of a motor vehicle.

Various modifications'may be made in the device embodying our invention without departing from the spirit andiscope thereof, and such modifications are intended to be included in and covered by the appended claims.-

We claim as our invention:

1. A switch fora vehicle signal comprising a base, .pairs of contact terminals for establishing circuits to indicate intended movements of'the'vehicle, and an actuating member mounted on the base and biased to a neutral position and selectively movable to a plurality of positions correspondin respectively to different indications o ,intended movements of the vehicle, the said actuating memberbeing provided with a raised portion adapted to be enga ed by the operators heel when a pedal of t e vehicle a neutral position and selectively is depressed, so as to thereby member.

2. A switch-for a vehicle signal.comprising a base, pairs of contact terminals for establishing circuits to indicate intended inovbments of the vehicle, and an actuating member mounted on the base and biased to movable, to a plurality of positions c0 11 i res 'ively to difierent indications o inmove said te ded movemlents of the vehicle, the'said' actuating member being provided ppon its '5 upper face-with a constituting a rest for the operators heel when the memberis in a neutral position, and with a raised portion adapted to be engaged by the operators'heel when a pedal of the vehicle is depressed, so as to thereby movexsaid mem 3. A switch for a vehicle signal comprising aflat base, co-operating pairs of contact terminals mounted on the base for establishing circuits to indicate intended movements of the vehicle, a single actuating cover member mounted on the base, and a single spring interposed between the said. member and the base for maintaining the former in neutral position. v

4. A switch for a vehicle signal comprising a flat base, pairs of contact terminals for establishing circuits to indicate intended movements of the vehicle, an actuating cover member mounted on the base, and a spring interposed between the said member and the base for maintaining the former in neutralr position, the said actuating member being provided with a raised portion adapted to be engaged by the operators heel when a pedal of the vehicle is depressed, so as to thereby move said member.

5. A switch for a vehicle signal comprising a fiat base, pairs of contact terminals for establishing circuits to indicate intended movementsof the vehicle, an actuating cover member mounted on the base, and a compression spring interposed between the said member and the base for maintaiiiing the former in neutral position, the said actuating member being provided upon its upper movements of the vehicle, a single actuating cover member mounted on the base, and a single compression spring interposed be, tween the said member and base and extending laterall to the respective faces thereof for norma y. maintaining the former in neutral position. i

7. A switch .for a vehicle signal, ing a base, co-operating pairs of contact terminals'fo r establishing different circuits mounted on said base, and an actuatin cover member mounted on the base, bias to neutral position and selectively tiltablelaterally and longitudinally thereof to a v plurality of tively to di movements of the vehicle.

' itions corresponding respebfent indications of intended 12o comprisand co-operating pairs'otcontact terminals mounted on said base corresponding respectively to the several tilted positions of the actuating member.

9. A switch comprising a base member, a plurality -ofpa1rs of co-operating contact members insulatedly mounted on said base,

a cover member on said base member, a.single means located between said base and said cover member for.y1eld1ngly holding said cover member a predetermined distance away from said base, and means integral with said cover member for permitting movement thereof in a direction substantially at right angles to the face thereofto cause predetermined contact members to operatively engage each other.

- 10. A switch comprising abase member,

a plurality of pairs of contact terminalsmounted thereon, acovefimember on said base, means for yieldingly holding said base and said cover member apart, and means for limiting the separating movement of saiil members and for permitting a move- -ment of said cover member in both a longitudinal and said base.

11. Aswitch comprising a base member, a plurality of co-operating pairs of terminals tmountedthereon and controlling aplurality of signal devices, and a combined cover and terminal-aictuating member mounted on the base and tiltable' relatively thereto, a lateral tilting movement causing the actuation of a plurality of. signal devices and a longitudinal tilting movement causing the actuation of only one signal device.

12. A switch comprising a base member, a plurality of co-operating 'pairs of terminals mounted thereon for controlling the energi- -z ation of a plurality of signal devices, and a combined cover and terminal-actuating a lateraldirectio'n relatively to member mounted on the "base and having integral means for permitting a tilting movement'thereof by the heel of anioperator in either alateral or alongitudinal di-.

rction.

-13. A'switch comprising a base member, a plurality of co-operating' pairs of terminals mounted'thereon for controlling the and" a combined cover. andterminal actuatenergization of a plurality of signal devices,

ing member mounted on the base andhaving integral means for permitting a tllting movement thereof by the heel of an operator controlling said apparatus including switch 7 .meclianism mounted adjacent to the said pedal to permit of its actuation by pressure exerted by the heel of the operator when actuating the pedal with his toe, and terminals and switch contacts the relative positions of which are such that when the actuating member is pressed centrally one circuit is closed and when pressed on one side two circuits are closed. l

15. Operation indicating mechanism for automobiles of the type having a foot operated control pedal comprising signaling means for indicating stops'and turns, and means to effect operation of said signaling means mounted on a stationary part of said automobile adjacent to said pedal to permit of its actuation by pressure exerted by the heel of the operator when actuating the pedal with his toe, and comprising anoperating part which when pressed centrally causes the said signaling means to indicate. stopping of the automobile and which when.

pressed laterally causes the signaling means to indicate turning of the automobile.

16. Operation indicating mechanism for automobiles of the type having a foot operated control pedal and comprising signaling means for indicating stops and turns, and means to effect operation of said signaling means mounted on a stationary part of said automobile adjacent to said pedal 'to permit of its 'actuationby pressureexe'rted by the heel of the operator when actuating the pedal with his toe, and comprising an causes "the said signaling means to indicate stopping of the automobile and which when pressed laterally causes thesignahng means operating part which when pressed centrally to indicate both stopping and turning of the automobile.

Intestimony whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names this 20th day of July,

TIHARRY R. VAN DEVEiNTER. ROBERT M. WARREN. 

